The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Life of Christ Lesson 77: Profiting by Loss

Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27

The Lord was intently concentrated on teaching His twelve disciples the deeper truths concerning the divine plan for man's redemption.  They not only needed to hear about His need to die, His resurrection, their own need to suffer for His sake and bear their own crosses, but they needed to know the truth about His glorious Second Coming.  These subjects are discussed in the five divisions of this lesson, which are (1) The Sovereign Plan, (2) The Satanic Presumption (oh dear, Peter), (3) The Saviour's Protest, (4) The Sacrificial Paradox (profit in the Christian life only comes through loss, which is primarily the loss of pride and selfishness), and (5) The Sure Promise (of His Second Coming).

Learn what Jesus meant when He said, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross".

Life of Christ Lesson 76: Upon this Rock {WHAT is the Rock? Peter?? NOPE!}

Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21

In the first part of this lesson, the Lord Jesus asked His men the question every person must eventually answer, ". . .Whom say ye that I am?".  This all-important questions and the response He received from the disciples are the subject matter contained under our heading, "The Choice".  This question session ended with Peter's great confession (given on behalf of the other men, as well), "Thou art teh Christ, the Son of the Living God".  The Lord accepted it because it is true!  He then took them to a new stage of enlightenment; for the first time, He spoke to them about The Church"! 

We get into a very important discussion about the Lord's words to Peter, "Thou art Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I will build My church".  Was He stating that Peter is the rock upon which He would build His Church - or does "this rock" refer to something else?  This is important, for this is the very verse Roman Catholicism bases its authority for the office of the pope!  CRITICAL DOCTRINAL STUDY about this and other matters (i.e. Christ's words to His men about "binding and loosing" in Matthew 16:19).

Life of Christ Lesson 75: Battling Blindness {Physical and Spiritual}

Matthew 15:39-16:12; Mark 8:10-26

In the next two chronological steps of Christ's earthly ministry, we have a picture of His battle with both complete and cloudy spiritual vision.  As He returned to Galilee from the area of Decapolis, He again encountered a battle with the willfully blind Jewish religious leader, who tried to tempt Him so as to discredit Him publicly.  They were (1) completely sightless (spiritually speaking).  Next, the Lord dealt with His disciples, who received their spiritual sight by their faith in Christ, but still had what we call (2) cloudy sight.  There were yet many things about Him, His plan of redemption, His Church, and His Second Coming they did not understand.  When He warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, they thought he spoke about actual bread.  

Finally, in the Lord's healing of a blind man in Bethsaida, we have a picture of (3) cleared sight.  The blind man actually pictured the disciples, who spiritual sight would gradually clear (especially after the Lord's resurrection).  This is the only miracle Christ ever performed in which "the healing" took place gradually!  Learn how that unique miracle illustrates an important spiritual truth for all of us!

Life of Christ Lesson 74: Decapolis Ministry {Feeding the 4,000+}

Matthew 15:29-38; Mark 7:31-37.

In this lesson, we learn the Lord's traveling schedule demonstrated that though He came to reveal and present Himself first to Israel, He also came as the Saviour of the world.  His ministry among Gentile people (i.e. Tyre, Sidon, the ten cities of Decapolis) was a "sneak preview" of the extension of His Kingdom to the entire world. 

Jesus performed many miracles while in the area of Decapolis (the Gadarene demoniac had spread word in Decapolis about the great thing he did for him), but two specific miracles are recorded and discussed in this lesson.  They are the healing of a deaf man (Mark 7:35) and the feeling of the 4,000+ (8:7-9).

Life of Christ Lesson 73: A Faith Called Great [From a Gentile Woman!}

Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

This is the account of the Lord's deliverance of a demon from a Syrophoenician woman's daughter.  The woman had a desperate request, which she took to the right Source, the Lord Jesus!  He, however, seemed to be against her!  He did not speak a word to her pleading request for His mercy.  His disciples were rude to her.  She did not give up.  She overcame all kinds of obstacles (her nationality, her gender, Satan - who had done his part to attack her precious daughter, and the Lord's seeming apathy), but then Jesus said to her these strange words, "It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs"!  YOU HAVE TO HEAR THIS LESSON SO YOU RIGHTLY UNDERSTAND HIS WORDS AND WHAT JESUS WAS DOING WITH THIS WOMAN!

Amazingly, the Syrophoenician woman humbly accepted her place in God's providential plan of things (Jew first, then the Gentile).  She was fully accepting of the divine order.  She willingly accepted God's plan and submitted to it.  She put away pride and became an illustration of the millions of Gentiles who have been blessed and saved by the Messiah of Israel.  She became the only woman the Lord Jesus is recorded to have commended for her GREAT FAITH!!  Her daughter was not only delivered, the woman was saved!  

Life of Christ Lesson 72: Defection and Defilement

John 6:59-71; Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23

The Lord Jesus had fed 5,000+ people with only five barley loaves and two fish.  It was such an amazing miracle, the people tried to crown Him their King, but their motive was wrong and their understanding of His Kingship and His Kingdom was wrong.  In His "Bread of Life Sermon," which He preached to the people the next day, He revealed Himself as the True Bread of Life (spiritual bread that gives eternal life).  The response of the people was resentment when they heard Him speak of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to receive everlasting life.  He was using metaphoric language to speak of the need to receive Him personally into the core of one's being to experience the New Birth.  The Jews murmured when they heard His claims to Deity in the first part of His sermon, but they aggressively began to argue among themselves when they heard His words about eating and drinking His flesh and blood.

Jesus was finished with His message.  He said to the people, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.  I am that Bread of life" (6:47, 48).  As always, there was division among the people when He finished.  Most of the people rejected His words and, subsequently, rejected Him.  Only a small minority received His words and determined to remain with Him.

Life of Christ Lesson 71b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part IV {What about Transubstantiation?}

This is the fourth lesson on the very important "Bread of Life Sermon" of John chapter 6.  It is critical to rightly interpret this discourse.  Much of Christendom follows a false interpretation of it, which has led to millions of people participating in a false doctrine called Transubstantiation!  

 

Life of Christ Lesson 71a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part III

From John chapter 6; the Lord's continued teaching on "The Bread of Life Sermon" (Part III).  A very important sermon to understand on many levels, particularly when it comes to having correct Bible doctrine (literally multi-millions of people have been led astray about the significance of the ordinance of Communion due to improper interpretation of this critical sermon)!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 70a: Bread of Life Sermon - Part I

After feeding the 5,000+ people with five barley loaves and two fish (an amazing miracle), the Lord Jesus then presented a powerful message in what has come to be known as His "Bread of Life Sermon" of John chapter 6.  We present this very important discourse in four parts (of which this is the first).  

This sermon was a defining moment in Christ's life, for after hearing it and misunderstanding what He taught, most of His followers turned and walked no more with Him.  It is critical to rightly interpret this sermon, which we do!

Life of Christ Lesson 70b: Bread of Life Sermon - Part II

John chapter 6, "The Bread of Life Sermon" (Part II - continuing look at verses 26-40).  The main point Jesus wanted the people and His disciples to understand through this discourse was that His Kingdom is not a political or even an earthly issue, but a spiritual one.  The crowd had wanted to crown Him King after the miraculous feeding, but He evaded their efforts.  They needed to understand He did not come to be a political King to free them from Roman bondage, but as a spiritual King (the only King of Heaven and Earth) to set them free from much more serious bondage - to sin and death!  

In this lesson, He taught them how He is the True Manna from Heaven and that He is far superior to Moses.  Manna was only for Israel and it was temporary.  He is the Bread of God Who gave His life for the world, and it is permanent.  Moses was merely the human instrument God used to feed the people, as the disciples had been Christ's instruments to distribute the food to the people the previous day.  Christ performed the miraculous miracle in His own power.  Manna was the shadow; He is the Substance.

Life of Christ Lesson 69: Cresting and Resting the Stormy Sea {Handling Life’s Storms}

In this lesson from our 8-year Life of Christ study (through all four gospels), titled "Cresting and Resting the Stormy Sea" in the accompany commentary-book ("Life of Christ Vol. 3), we discuss the Lord's amazing deliverance of His disciples from sure death in a very violent storm.  The Lord calmed that storm by simply getting into the ship with His disciples, but there was another miracle that occurred at the very same time!! That simultaneous miracle is mentioned so briefly, it is OFTEN NOT NOTICED AT ALL.  It also took place quickly (in the twinkling of an eye), and may very well serve as a beautiful prophetic picture of THE RAPTURE (and/or the individual Christian's "home-going").  The ship and all "on board" were instantly on the shore of safety (i.e. Heaven)!

 

 

Life of Christ Lesson 68: Lord Multiplies a Lad’s Lunch! {Feeds 5,000+}

John 6:1-15; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-40; Luke 9:10-17

The feeding of the 5,000 men (plus women and children, so more likely at least 15,000 people) is the only specific miracle recorded in all four gospel accounts other than Christ's resurrection!   It was a spectacular miracle that produced a peak in the peoples' interest in Jesus, even causing them to want to crown Him king, but for the wrong reasons.  This is why after we discuss Part I of this lesson, "Jesus Feeds the Multitude," we then look at Part II, "Jesus Flees the Multitude".  Many spiritual lessons were taught the disciples of Christ through this miracle; they also apply to us today!  A "must" listen message!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 67: Fears and Follies of Herod {Beheader of the Baptist}

Matthew 14:1-12.  We come in this lesson to the death of one of the most fearless men of God who ever lived, John the Baptist.  In this same episode about the godly, fearless Baptist, we learn about a godless man who feared just about everyone except God!  His name was Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea; the man responsible for the beheading of the Baptist.  This is a great lesson to illustrate the truth of Proverbs 29:25, "The fear of man brings a snare".  It is also a good lesson on the human conscience, as well as on the very serious danger of lust and peer pressure.

Life of Christ Lesson 66: The Ordination Sermon IV

In the final section of the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His men, found in Matthew 10:24-42, His words apply to all believers.  In fact, in this interesting passage, we find some of His most definitive teaching on the true nature of Christian discipleship in the New Testament.  He "pulled no punches".  He "painted" no pretentious pictures when it came to revealing what is involved when a person chooses to follow Him.  He spoke about the blessings and the bruises; the promises and the persecutions, and the rewards and the rejections.

This is the key passage in Scripture on Christian discipleship, which is the great task of the Church!  IMPORTANT LESSON

Life of Christ Lesson 65: The Ordination Sermon - Part III

In this next section of the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His Apostles, Matthew 10:16-23, we find that the Lord really had something important to say to all His "helpers" (followers), not only the ones present with Him at that time, but also to those who would serve Him in the future (us and the Tribulation believers).

As we cover the information of the Lord in verses 16 to 23, we will discuss His words of warning about the opposition of the "wolves" His disciples can expect to encounter (then, now, and in the future).  He forewarned that the opposition to their message about Him would come from the religionists, the rulers, and their own relatives.  So very true!

The persecution the godly believer can expect to encounter will give him or her opportunities to witness.  Jesus assured His men (and all future disciples) they need not be concerned what to say in those situations, for the Spirit would speak through them (10:19, 20).  We also hear the Lord talk about the disciples' obligation to withstand.  We discuss what He meant by His words, ". . . but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (10:22b) - often misunderstood.

Life of Christ Lesson 64b: The Ordination Sermon- Part II

In this lesson, we further discuss the Lord's "Ordination Sermon" to His men.  We discuss the men in their groups of four and then in the pairs by which they were sent forth.  Also important is why they were to travel in pairs - we talk about the various wise reasons for that.  Jesus explains to them what their ministry was to be, as well as the message they were to give and the miracles they would be empowered to perform.  So, too, He talked about their "means" (to trust God to provide) and their method(s) they were to use as they went to towns and cities and stayed in homes, etc. 

There is a lot of practical information for us today as we go forth in the name of Christ, proclaiming Him to those of our communities and beyond!

Life of Christ Lesson 64a: The Ordination Sermon - Part I

Matthew 9:35-10:42.  This is the record of the very first ordination that ever took place among those who would serve as the foundational, living stones of Church, the lord's Apostles.  In the fourth recorded sermon of Christ's ministry, He gave the ordination charge to His men before sending them out, in pairs, on their first mission venture without Him.  

To this point in His ministry, Jesus was doing everything (teaching, healing, preaching) on His own.  His men were merely observers and learners, but not participators in His works.  They needed to learn how to also become directly involved as "laborers" in the ministry of sowing seed and harvesting souls for the Kingdom of God.  The Lord's time with them was getting short.  They needed to have some "hands-on" training!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 63: Binding Blindness

There are two kinds of blindness that afflict the human race: physical and spiritual.  The Lord encountered both types in this lesson, "Binding Blindness".  He healed the physically blind eyes of two man whose eyes may have seen nothing, but whose spiritual "eyes" were enlightened to "see" the Light of Christ!

The Lord also encountered the spiritual blindness that abundantly existed in Israel, particularly among the citizens of His hometown of Nazareth (Mark 6:1-6a).  Sadly, Jesus encountered far more cases of spiritual blindness than ALL the other types of physical deficiencies and diseases put together!

There are two miracles discussed in this lesson: the miracle of sight to two blind men (Matthew 9:29) and the miracle of healing a dumb demonian (Matthew 9:33).

Life of Christ Lesson 62a: The Great Physician {Touching the Hem} - Part II

Mark 5:25-34 (also Matthew 9:20-22 and Luke 8:43-48) is the record of the Lord's encounter, as He was on His way to Jairus' house to see his 12-year old daughter, who was dying, with a woman who suffered from an issue of blood for 12 years.  Not only did the woman suffer physically (never finding any physician who could help her), but she also emotionally and socially.  Her ailment made her ceremonially unclean, so in Jewish society this meant she would be excluded from all social gatherings, including to worship in her local synagogue.

The woman heard about Jesus and His incredible healing powers.  Thus, when she found out He was in her hometown of Capernaum, she carefully joined the thronging crowd around Him as He made His way to Jairus' house.  She believed that if she could just reach out and slightly touch His clothing (not Him), that she would be made whole!  When she managed to touch the hem of the Lord's clothes, the Lord felt power issue forth from Him.  He knew someone had reached out to Him in faith, and when the woman came forward to share "all the truth" about her situation and what she had done in secretly touching His garment, the Lord, on the only occasion in the gospel accounts, called her "Daughter".  Then He said to her, "Thy faith hath made thee whole" (5:34).   It is a beautiful story about our Great Physician!

Life of Christ Lesson 62b: The Great Physician {Raising a Dead Girl} - Part III

Mark 5:22-24, 35:45 (also Matthew 9:18, 19, 23-26; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56).  This is the account of the "healing" by Jesus of the third humanly incurable situation in Mark chapter 5 (the first two were the healing of dehumanized demoniacs - Lesson #61 and the healing of the disgraced daughter of Israel - Lesson #62a).  The third consecutive healing miracle of the Great Physician (Jesus) in this chapter was the most "incurable" of all.  Jairus' dying 12-year old daughter actually died before Jesus made it to the home.  After the delay with the woman with issue of blood, the Lord arrived "too late" (it would seem), for the little girl was dead and the professional mourners had already arrived!  

If you don't already know this story, you will be richly blessed; if you do already know it, you will also be richly blessed.  Why?  Because we can never hear enough how our Great Physician Saviour, Who is incarnate God, can "heal" every humanly incurable situation, including the worst of all, death!  Halleluiah!

Life of Christ Lesson 61: The Great Physician {Delivering Demons} - Part I

Mark 5:1-20.  The fifth chapter of Mark is often referred to as the Bible chapter for "incurables" because it contains the written record of Christ's confrontations with three humanly incurable cases.

First, He had "a divine appointment" with two men who were mentally deranged because of demonic possession.  That will be the subject of this first of a three-part study on "The Great Physician". 

The Lord's second encounter was with a physically disabled woman who had gone to every doctor she could find, and none could cure her of the issue of blood that plagued her for 12 years.  The third situation was the most "incurable" of all, from the human perspective,  It was death, in this case it was the death of a 12-year old girl, the daughter of a man named Jairus.  Both of these situations will be discussed in the second part of this study (see Lesson #61a and b).

The three humanly incurable situations of Mark 5 picture man's incurable situation regarding sin.  Apart from the healing/saving power of the Great Physician (Jesus Christ), men are the hopeless, helpless victims of Satan (first case of this chapter), of disease (second case), and of death (third case).  

Life of Christ Lesson 60: Handling Life’s Storms! MUCH NEEDED TODAY!

America, and, in fact, the world, is in the midst of a "storm" this very hour.  These are unsettling times as we face the potential for World War III or some kind of nuclear or cyber attack, terrible inflation, open borders, anti-Semitism on the rise, inflated grocery prices, the continual possibility of another pandemic, government corruption on every level, the dangers of AI technology in the hands of evil people, the expansion of extreme Islam and Communism into the Western world, the push for globalism, the apostacy of much of Christendom ... and on and on.  How are Christians to respond?  Well, actually, the same way we should respond to all the rest of life's storms!  It is often said if you are not in a storm, it is either because you have just come through one or one is waiting ahead!  Storms are a natural part of living in a sin-cursed world.  There is no way to avoid them, but there is a very calm way to "ride them out" free of fear and full of faith - not faith in ourselves (or we will surely sink); not faith in all the resources of government and science (we will still sink, for there are storms greater than mankind's combined intelligence and strength), but faith in the one Person Who is able to guide us safely through any and all storms. 

There is no reason to fear the furies and floods of life if you have invited Jesus Christ "on board" to be the Captain of your ship!  He will see you safely to your final destination, no matter what is happening in your personal life or in the world today.

This lesson comes in our "Caldwell Commentary" series "Life of Christ Vol. 3" (available through www.scripturetruth.com   and Amazon.com

Life of Christ Lesson 59: Mystery Kingdom Separation

From Matthew 13:44-52, the Lord continued to teach what theologians call "The Mystery Parables Discourse".  In the next two parables: "The Parable of the Hidden Treasure" and "The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price," He spoke of what God Himself would gain during the intermediate stage of His Kingdom.  He would gain a precious treasure and a valuable pearl.  

In the seventh parable, "The Parable of the Dragnet" (13:47-50), the Lord spoke of the judgment that would come at the consummation of the mystery form of the Kingdom, when He would return to establish the Messianic form of the Kingdom offered at His First Coming - but postponed because of Israel's rejection of Him, the King.  The judgment will be a time of separation (wheat from tares; good fish from bad fish).

Matthew 13 ends with "The Parable of the Householder," by which Christ charged His disciples with personal responsibility to generously distribute both the old and new truths they were so very privileged to have!

Life of Christ Lesson 58: Mystery Kingdom Sprouting

In this lesson from Matthew 13:24-43, the Lord Jesus fulfilled another Messianic prophecy, which is that the coming Messiah would speak in parables (Psalm 78:2), for in teaching His men on the inter-advent Kingdom of God on earth (roughly equivalent to the Church Age), He gave seven parables.  It was followed with an eighth parable, not directly related to the others, but one that taught a Biblical principle: with understanding comes responsibility (see "The Parable of the Householder" in Lesson #59).

 

We discuss the reason the Lord often taught by way of parables before we then get into an indepth look at three important parables which shed a lot of light on the current age of Christendom.  They are (1) "The Parable of the Wheat and Tares," (2) "The Parable of the Mustard Seed," and (3) "The Parable of the Leaven Hidden in Meal".  We spend valuable time explaining the varied interpretations of these parables, always settling on the one that best fits the context, the original meaning of the Greek, and the rest of Scripture.

Life of Christ Lesson 57b: Mystery Kingdom Sowing

This is the second half of our study of "The Parable of the Sower" and the four types of human heart types upon which the Seed (God's Word) is sown!

Life of Christ Lesson 57a: Mystery Kingdom Sowing - Part I {What about God’s Promise of a Messianic Kingdom if Israel Rejected her King?}

Witnessing the rejection of Jesus by both Israel's religious rulers and even His own step-brothers would cause the Lord's disciples and other followers to wonder what would happened to the promise of the Messianic Kingdom if Israel rejected the King?  The answer is the primary focus of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 13 (with parallel accounts in Mark 4 and Luke 8).  Through a series of parables, He told His men that the literal Kingdom on earth would be postponed until a time when Israel would accept Him (His Second Coming).  

 

However, though the literal Kingdom was postponed, the Lord taught about a "mystery" form of the Kingdom that would be established in the interval between His rejection and His return.  This "interregnum" would be an internal, spiritual Kingdom on earth - not visible because it would exist in the hearts of believers.  This truth was unknown to the Old Testament prophets and writers, which is why it is called a "mystery".  Through the parables presented in Matthew 13, the Lord revealed the "mysteries" or "secrets of the Kingdom" to those with ears to hear and understand.  

The first parable of "The Mystery Kingdom" is the very famous "Parable of the Sower".  The Sower is Christ (and His followers); the Seed is His Word; the four types of soil represent the four types of heart conditions (human responses) upon which the sown Word falls: (1) roadway soil, (2) rocky soil, (3) reprobate soil, and (4) ready soil.

Life of Christ Lesson 56: The Misunderstood Messiah {Also Parables of Divided Kingdom, Subduing the Strong Man, and the Empty House}

A deeply tragic truth about the Lord Jesus is how greatly misunderstood He was - not only by His foes (jealous of His power and popularity), but also by those closest to Him, His family.

In this lesson (Matthew 12:22-50), Israel's religious rulers gave their "official" decision that Jesus performed His works with satanic power.  At this same time, we also find that His own brothers thought He was not quite right in His mind.   

Included in this study: Christ's healing of a blind and mute demoniac; "The Parable of the Divided Kingdom," "The Parable of Subduing the Strong Man," "The Parable of the Empty House," and another prophecy given by Christ about His up-coming death and resurrection.

Life of Christ Lesson 55: To Whom Much is Given . . .

From Matthew 11:20-30, we discuss what the Lord had to say about greater spiritual privilege bringing greater judgment.  The citizens of the Galilean cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had greater spiritual privileges and opportunities for repentance and salvation than any other people, for Jesus Christ, God's Son, spent more time in their vicinity than anywhere else on earth.  However, although the people were amazed by His miracles and authoritative teaching, few were spiritually and eternally affected by putting their faith in Him as Saviour and Lord.  Thus, Jesus pronounced three "woe judgments" on them.  Discussed also in this lesson is the sin of indifference. 

From Luke 7:36-50, the Lord taught a second important Biblical principle: greater pardon brings greater love.  This is the account of the sinful woman who came uninvited to Simon the Pharisee's house to anoint Jesus' feet with her tears of joy and wiped them dry with her hair.  Simon and his other self-righteous guests were horrified that Jesus would allow the woman to even touch Him.  He used the occasion to make the contrast between a humble "babe" in Christ and a narcissistic "wise and prudent" man (see Matthew 11:25).  He then taught "The Parable of the Two Debtors".

Life of Christ Lesson 54: Christ's Response to Doubt from a Believer (John the Baptist)

From Matthew 11:2-19 and Luke 7:18-35, we see more of the Lord's great heart (see Lesson 53 regarding His compassionate response to faith and to despair) as He responds compassionately to the doubts of those who belong to Him.  In this case, He had just received word from John the Baptist, who had been in prison for about one year after publicly denouncing the adulterous marriage of Herod Antipas with his brother's wife.  While in his confinement, the Baptist allowed certain doubts to captivate his thoughts, which is a danger every believer can fall into at times.  Fortunately, John rightly took his doubts, confusions, and perplexities to the right Source.  He dealt with his doubts by going to (via letter) Jesus, Who confirmed His identity to John in no uncertain terms!  

 

Life of Christ Lesson 53: Response to Great Faith and to Great Despair {Christ's Compassion - Part I}

There are two fantastic demonstrations of the Compassion Saviour in this lesson. We discuss His compassionate/gracious/merciful/miraculous response to the great faith of a Roman centurion (Jesus healed his dying servant boy) from Matthew 8:5-13 and to a grieving widow of Nain (He raised her dead son on the way to the cemetery) from Luke 7:1-17!

A terrific study about the magnificent love in the heart of the world's only Saviour!

Life of Christ Lesson 52: The Two Builders

This lesson is on Matthew 7:24-29, the final words of the Lord's great "Sermon on the Mount" in which He talks about "Two Builders".  After having given an invitation to salvation in Him with His discussion of "Two Gates" (Lesson 50) and "Two Trees" (Lesson 51), He went on to say that the person who responds to His invitation is like a wise man who builds his life on a solid foundation of rock.  The Rock is Himself and His Holy Word.  Conversely, the one who does not respond positively by receiving the truth of His teaching and His invitation is like a foolish man who builds his life on the shifting, insecure, sinking sand of this world.

If you really want to know how to survive all the storms of life, the Lord's words we discuss in this lesson give you the answer.  Be wise!  Heed His advice.  Build your life on HIM.

Life of Christ Lesson 51: The Two Trees {EXAMINATION TIME! Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" to Jesus is saved!}

In Matthew 7:15-23, the second part of Christ's "Sermon the Mount" extended invitation to salvation  (first part is found in Lesson 50 on Matthew 7:14), He gave a solemn warning about two prevalent dangers that deceive many to think they are going to Heaven, when they are actually on the broad road to destruction.  In this important, but difficult lesson to hear, entitled "The Two Trees," He warned to beware of false prophets and to beware of false professions!  "Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven . . ." (7:21)!!  SERIOUS.

Life of Christ Lesson 50: The Two Gates {Wide and Narrow} SHARE THIS MESSAGE!

In the Lord's seventh and final section of His "Sermon on the Mount," He invites His immediate audience - and all of us - to choose between God's Way to Heaven (by God's grace through faith in Christ) or man's way to TRY to get to Heaven (by some form of a merit based works' system).  Divine accomplishment or human achievement. Grace or works.  Only God and only by His grace in sending His Son to die in our place, for our sins, is  salvation made possible (and Heaven attained). 

There are only "Two Gates," one is narrow (John 14:6); the other is very wide.  The only problem with the wide gate is that it leads to destruction, not to eternal life with the Triune God in Heaven.

THIS IS A MOST SERIOUS LESSON FOR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE TO HEAR!  The Gospel is presented and the way to be saved is laid out clearly!  SHARE with your non-Christian family and friends!

Life of Christ Lesson 49: The Golden Rule {Oh, If Only ... }

Of all the "Rules for the Redeemed" discussed by the Lord Jesus in "The Sermon on the Mount" (the treasure, worry, criticism, and prayer rules), the last is the most well known: "The Golden Rule" (Matthew 7:12).  In this study, we take great care to connect this important truth for godly living with the context; thus, we see how it relates to the subjects of judgment (see Lesson 47) and prayer (Lesson 48).

 

Find out what the difference is between "The Brass Rule of Humanity" and "The Golden Rule of Heaven"!  Find out the great difference between what Israel's religious rulers, the ancient philosophers, and the Greek stoics taught about proper treatment of others compared with what Christ Jesus taught!  Did you know that "The Golden Rule" is actually a consolidation of all Old Testament teaching (the Law and the Prophets) about human relationships?  If ONLY mankind could OBEY this ONE rule!!

Life of Christ Lesson 48: The Prayer Promise! {Ask, Seek, Knock!}

Are you frustrated with the quality of your Christian life?  Do you seriously desire to be a Beatitude-type believer?  Do you long to have the righteous motive in your service for the Lord?  Have you longed to rid yourself of some harboring bitterness, vengefulness, or maybe a critical spirit?  Have you wondered about ways you could and should be investing in heavenly treasure?  Have you longed to have greater spiritual discernment?  Do you truly want to fully trust God about your needs and your future - and cease worrying?  If your answer to any or all of these questions is "Yes," then listen to Jesus' command-prayer-promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7).  

God will not do for us, apart from prayer, that which He has promised to do for us only through prayer!  Though He is Sovereign, that does not mean we receive all the blessings He has for us and desires to give us if we fail to ask for them - "ye have not, because ye ask not" (James 4:2b)!  Did you realize that a lot of the frustrations of our Christian lives are the result of not having turned our frustration-energy into prayer-energy!

Life of Christ Lesson 47: The Criticism Rule {Controversial ”Judge Not” Statement}

From Matthew 7:1-6 (part of "The Sermon on the Mount"), the Lord Jesus "switched gears" from having taught about having a right perspective toward material things ("The Treasure Rule" - Lesson 45 and "The Worry Rule" - Lesson 46) to having a right perspective toward people!

 

In this lesson, we discuss both the positive and negative sides of what we call "Teeter-Totter Theology".  We also discuss that verse so often taken out of context, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (7:1).  There is a righteous form of judging!  There is also an unrighteous form of judging - and we need to know the difference!  There is also a right way and time to criticize and a wrong way and time to criticize!  Again, we need to know the difference.  We also need to know how to do honest self-judgment to make sure we are not pointing out someone's "eye-mote," while there is a major "beam" in our own! 

 

Another important lesson from the Greatest Teacher ever, Jesus!

Life of Christ Lesson 46: The Worry Rule {Christ Teaches on Anxiety}

This lesson on Matthew 6:25-34 (from the Lord's "Sermon on the Mount") is on the subject of WORRY!  Oh dear.  With the current Coronavirus Pandemic upon us, this is an extremely important message from the Lord Jesus for all of us to hear and adhere!!  

In His words of wisdom, the Lord tells His followers that to worry about earthly matters demonstrates three things:  1. distrust of our Father's Providence, 2. distrust of our Father's Promises, and 3. doubt in our Father's Protection.

What do we do when circumstances arise that appear to be potential situations for worry (anxiety)?   We discuss 6 reasons why Christians should NOT worry in the midst of storms (or any time).  Listen and sleep well tonight.

 

Life of Christ Lesson 45: The Treasure Rule {A Serious Message about Materialism}

From Matthew 6:19-24 (part of "The Sermon on the Mount"), the Lord taught how Kingdom citizens are to have the right perspective on earthly "treasures," which are merely temporary, as compared to heavenly "treasures," which last forever.  The Christian is to set his affection on things above, "For where your heart is, there shall your heart be also".

In this lesson, we discuss how the Christian is to have a single focus and a solitary Master, "For no man can serve two masters . . . ye cannot serve God and mammon [money/material things".  This is a serious message for our day of vast materialism!

Life of Christ Lesson 44: How to Pray Effectively - Part II

To be effective in our prayer lives so God is honored and pleased by our prayers, we need to fulfill certain Christian "responsibilities".  In this second lesson on the Lord's "Perfect Prayer Pattern" from His "Sermon on the Mount".  Whereas the first three petitions of the Lord's prayer pattern deal with exalting God, His name, His Kingdom, and His will, the last three petitions (6:11-13) have to do with us (the believers).  We discuss these petitions under the headings of (1) or present provision, (2) for past pardon, and (3) for future protection (from temptation and evil).

We also discuss the closing doxology of the prayer ("For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen"), as well as the postscript on the subject of forgiveness found in verses 14 and 15.  That postscript has upset a lot of Christians over the centuries, for they think Jesus was saying a person's salvational forgiveness is conditional upon his own forgiveness of others.  That is not what He was teaching, and we explain the meaning of those verses in this lesson. 

Life of Christ Lesson 43: How to Pray Effectively - Part I

Prayer is perhaps the single greatest activity in which the human soul can engage, for in prayer we come face-to-face with God.  Prayer is our golden opportunity to give God the opportunity to manifest His power, majesty, love, and providence to His beloved children.  Although prayer is one of the most vital aspects of the Christian life, most of us feel it is the area in which we are the weakest.  The disciples of Christ obviously felt this way, too, which is why they asked Him to teach them to pray.  Thus, He gave them instruction and guidance for proper, effective prayer in Matthew 6:7-15 (part of "The Sermon on the Mount").

First, Jesus spoke about the errors of ineffective prayer (vanity prayers, valueless prayers, and verbose prayers), before He then taught about the essentials for effect prayer (having right relationships, with God and others; having right responsibilities, and making right requests - which is discussed in Part II of this study).

Life of Christ Lesson 42: Beware of Religious Hypocrisy!

In Matthew 6:1-18, the Lord Jesus (in His "Sermon on the Mount) continued to emphasize true, heart righteousness by contrasting it with false, hypocritical "righteousness" in the realm of three practical, religious activities: (1) giving, (2) praying, and (3) fasting.  His words about giving deal with a person's righteousness as it acts toward others; His words about prayer deal with righteousness as it acts toward God, and His words regarding fasting discuss heart righteousness in relation to oneself.

In this study, we discuss the sins of silent cowardice, selfish complacency, and showy conduct.  We learn where the term "blowing your own trumpet" (or "sounding your own horn") originated.  We discuss "silent hands" and "secret closets" and the four ways people approach religious responsibilities (only two of which earn God's praise, not the praise of others or the praise of self).

Life of Lesson Christ 41: Loving and Living Supernaturally

This lesson is on Matthew 5:43-48.  Nowhere is there a greater contrast between the false, hypocritical "righteousness" of the Jewish religious rulers of Christ's day and true, godly heart-righteousness than in the Lord's sixth and final illustration on the section of "The Sermon on the Mount" entitled "Reinterpretations of the Law".  This greatest contrast deals with LOVE.  In no more important area had the scribes and Pharisees so critically departed from God's standards of holiness.  Unfortunately, they were far too "in-love" with themselves and their social status to have time to be concerned for anyone outside their inner circle.

We divide this study into three sections.  First, we look at the Mosaic principles about love (Leviticus 19:18), then we discuss the Pharisaic perversion on the subject of love.  Finally, finally we look at Christ's perspective, which is to possess a supernatural love that enables us to love and pray for our enemies,  and be equal in our treatment of everyone.  

Life of Christ Lesson 40: Resisting Personal Retaliation

This lesson is on Matthew 5:38-42.  In this section of "The Sermon on the Mount" (5:21-48), Christ was contrasting Pharisaic, external "righteousness" (see 5:20) with God's true, inner righteousness, using examples like murder (Lesson 35), adultery (Lesson 36), divorce (Lessons 37 and 38), and oath taking(Lesson 39).  His next topic to use in comparing the teachings propagated by Israel's religious rulers (gross misinterpretations of the Law) and His own teaching dealt with the matter of personal vengeance and retaliation.

We will first look at the Old Testament teaching on the subject of retaliation (the Mosaic principles found in Exodus 21:22-25; Leviticus 24:19, 20; Deuteronomy 19:20, 21), and then see how the Pharisees had perverted that teaching.  Finally, we will look at the Lord Jesus' perspective on the subject!  He teaches the following: do NOT retaliate even though your dignity is smitten, your security is sued, your freedoms are sacrificed, and your possessions are surrendered.  Wow.  Turning the other cheek, surrendering your cloak also, going the second mile, and giving to him that asks!  Being a Christian is not easy!

Life of Christ Lesson 39: Taking Oaths/Speaking Truth {Keeping Promises!}

This lesson is on Matthew 5:33-37, part of "The Sermon on the Mount".  Throughout this famous sermon, the Lord Jesus was attempting to convey to His listeners the fact that everything a citizen of His eternal Kingdom says or does is important to God.  If a Christian is to be an effective witness to this world where fake news, half-truths (which are lies), vain philosophies, false religious, evil cults, and massive deceptions reign, he or she must be a person who guards both his or her heart and tongue to speak only the truth and to keep every vow made to God or man!  God looks with great seriousness on every aspect of our lives!

We consider three sections on the matter of "Taking Oaths and Speaking Truth".  First, we look at what the Old Testament says on oath-taking (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21).  Then we consider what the Pharisees taught on the matter and, finally, compare the Pharisaic teaching with what the Lord Jesus had to say about it.

Acts Lesson 19: Stephen’s Message II {Jet-Tour of Life of Joseph}

In his purposely selective account of Jewish history (which kept the attention of the Council members, for they loved their own story), Stephen was making his defense against the accusations that he had blasphemed Moses, God, the Temple, and the Law.  In doing so, he was also (unknown to them, at first) building his case of indictment against his Jewish audience!  He was exposing their unjustified physical obsession with the land (Israel), the Law, and the Temple.  Rather than humbly acknowledging these were great privileges to be used wisely for God's glory in their witness of Him to the rest of the world, they proudly turned them into their false triune "god"!  They had come to view them as pillars of proof for their heavenly security!

The most important thing Stephen was accomplishing (yet unknown) in his powerful sermon was presenting the High Council of Israel with evidence for faith in Jesus!  He did this by using several key figures from Israel's history: Joseph and Moses.  In this lesson, which is Stephen's jet-tour account of the life of Joseph, the Council members heard for the first time the Biblical account of Joseph used as a graphic illustration of their own evil, envious betrayal and murder of Jesus!

Life of Christ Lesson 38: New Testament Teaching on Divorce {And Remarriage}

It would be good to precede hearing this message with Lesson 37 from our Life of Christ study, "Old Testament Teaching on Divorce". 

This study stems from the Lord's teaching in "The Sermon on the Mount," but we also look at Paul's inspired words in First Corinthians 7:10-16 for further information about the subject of divorce.  What are the only two Biblical grounds for divorce?  Listen and find out. 

What about remarriage after a divorce?  Again, listen and find out.

 

Life of Christ Lesson 37: Old Testament Teaching on Divorce

In the Lord's famous "Sermon on the Mount," He went from discussing the matter of adultery to the subject of divorce and remarriage (Matthew 5:31, 32).  Coming to a subject like this demonstrates the importance of an expositional, systematic study of Scripture, for it forces us to discuss subjects we may be otherwise tempted to avoid.  This topic is difficult and sensitive for many people; it is not one that is taught with joy, but we are commanded to study the whole counsel of the Word of God and not to ignore those things some find offensive, painful, or convicting.  It is critical in our day of high divorce rate even among Christians to see the matter of divorce and remarriage through the eyes of God, so, beginning with this lesson and ending with Lesson 38, we will look at what He has to say about this subject in both the Old and New Testaments.

This lesson (and Lesson #38 on "New Testament Teaching on Divorce") is found in our "Caldwell Commentary" series "Life of Christ Vol 2" and "The Sermon on the Mount" (available through amaon.com and www.scripturetruth.com

Acts Lesson 18: Stephen’s Message I {Young Master Debater of Truth}

Stephen had "an irresistible ministry"!  He was a Scripture-scholar, extremely skilled and astute in using the Old Testament to defend his faith in Jesus.  He was a Christian apologist ("apologia" is a Greek word that refers to "a speech in defense of something").

Stephen's POWERFUL message of Acts chapter 7 was basically a last major appeal to the leadership of Israel (the Sanhedrin Council) to accept Jesus as the long-promised Messiah.  Stephen was brought for trial before the Council, falsely accused of four things: speaking blasphemous words (1) against Moses, (2) against God, (3) against the Temple, and (4) against the Law.  While he stood before his opponents and their lying accusations, his face was glowing with the righteousness of truth and the glory of God!  Amazing.  By visibly putting His "glory stamp" on Stephen's face, the Lord Jesus was showing forth His approval of the message he had been proclaiming in the synagogues and which he was about to proclaim in Acts 7.

Stephen's message was his response to the evil high priest's question, "Are these things so?" - referring to the four accusations against him.  In verses 2 to 50, he managed to keep his hostile listeners' attention by talking about their favorite subject: themselves and their heritage!  Yet, as he reviewed the major periods of Jewish history, he indirectly was responding to the false and accusations against him and building his case against them!   His sermon is brilliant on so many levels!  It was completely irrefutable, and cost him his life.  

In this lesson, Stephen began his "history lesson" regarding Israel's period of the patriarchs by speaking about Abraham.  You have to listen to how absolutely clever Stephen was in using "father" Abraham to convict the Jews of their own sinful prejudices!

Acts Lesson 17: Stephen’s Ministry - Charlie Kirk is a Modern-Day Stephen!

I have interrupted the flow of our Sermon on the Mount study in order to share the ministry, the message, and the martyrdom of a First Century young man named Stephen.  I do this because of the recent murder of a Twenty-First Century young man named Charlie Kirk (Turning Point, USA).  The comparison is remarkable. Listen and see for yourself. My prayer is that Mr. Kirk's influence (already tremendous) will continue to impact people, as did Stephen's, until the Lord's Return!

This is the first of ten messages on one of the most influential men for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ who ever lived, Stephen.  There is a reason why more information is recorded in the eternal Word of God on the martyrdom of Stephen than any other man's death except the Lord Jesus - that reason is twofold.  First, Stephen's words and witness had an IRRESISTIBLE impact on the heart, soul, and mind of Saul of Tarsus (who became Paul, human author of about half of the New Testament).  Second, it was Stephen's martyrdom that resulted in the great First Century persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, which forced Christians into the next two regions of Christ's Great Commission, Judea and Samaria.

Stephen is my ultimate hero when it comes to understanding the importance of using the Old Testament to preach Jesus Christ!  He is my hero when it comes to boldness in proclaiming Christ to a very hostile audience!  He is my hero when it comes to giving his all for his Lord and Saviour and doing it with grace and forgiveness of those who killed him.  Stephen well deserved the STANDING OVATION he received from the Lord Jesus!  I cannot wait to meet him one day.

Life of Christ Lesson 36: Heart Righteousness {Adultery; a Matter of the Heart}

In Matthew 5:27-30, the Lord Jesus gave the second contrasting, corrective illustration between the rabbinic teaching the people heard wrongly presented to them and His interpretation of the Law.  In this section, He spoke about adultery, making it clear that the sin is a lot more than just a physical act.  He taught (as He did with murder) that the sin of adultery begins in the heart.  The religious rulers, as with most people today, needed a divinely given course on the doctrine of sin.  They had lowered the level of God's holy standards to an externalism they felt they could achieve, and then they self-righteously convinced themselves God was pleased with their great efforts to master their own standards of "righteousness".  They were pious-acting hypocrites!